The Crista Love Project
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11/24/2025
Hartman for the win!!
Crista Young
Sadly, I agree. EVERY farmer should know that you reap what you sow
11/18/2025
Cove Serum Boosted Skin Tint Balm CoveBalm
I had my annual MRI session for assessment of MS progression following the switch from Tysabri to Ocrevus. I have developed a few new symptoms in the last 6 months. Most prominent is that I have developed a tremor in both hands most visible first thing in the morning before taking my meds. After conversation with my Neuro, she agrees with my assessment that once I take my morning dose of Gabapentin (Neurontin), the tremors are not as pronounced. I attributed this to taking Gabapentin each morning. Gabapentin is a prescription anticonvulsant medication used primarily to treat nerve pain and control partial seizures in epilepsy. It is a central nervous system depressant and a structural analogue of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), working by calming overactive nerves. By the end of the day, and near my next dose of Gabapentin, the tremor is more visible again. What's frustrating about the tremors is that it's mentally deflating - like damn, one more thing I have to manage, and I spill a lot more because my hands aren't as steady when I eat or drink. It can be embarrassing at times. I know there are tools for people with essential tremors or Parkinson's related tremors so when if it's necessary, I will get the appropriate tools to assist me. I don't think I'm there quite yet. I'll continue taking Gabapentin until I can figure out a holistic approach to tremors.
I have also been falling a lot. That's not really something I do usually so what makes this interesting is that I have fallen 5 times in 2 months. I've fallen going down stairs, going up stairs, walking onto a curb and walking to my mailbox the last fall I can't quite remember. It's so weird that I automatically begin apologizing to anyone that is around after falling. WHY do I do that? I have no idea! Maybe it's due to embarrassment or discomfort at showing weakness in public. I don't really know what that is about. Again, this is not something that I control, it's happening without my knowledge. One moment I am upright and the next thing I'm on the floor. I never experience the sensation of actually falling - it's just one minute I'm up and the next I'm down.
So every year, and especially after changing a disease modifying drug, I get an MRI of all of the areas where lesions existed in my spine and brain. Neuro is searching for disease progression and active disease. Thankfully, year number 11, I have no new lesions and no active lesions. Here is what the radiologist said about my most recent MRI's:
Note: Radiologist said that my MRI was impacted because I was shaking in the machine - again, I thought that I was perfectly still, especially for my brain MRI because I was locked so snuggly into this head brace contraption I figured there was no way that I could move my head or neck - but when there's a will, I guess that I will find a way.
Overall note: No new or worsening lesions - which means that like Tysabri, Ocrevus is doing it's job!!!
Results:
MRI BRAIN WO/W CONTRAST
IMPRESSION:
Similar mild extent of T2 hyperintense demyelinating lesions in the periventicular, subcortical and juxtacortical white matter of both hemispheres. No new, diffusion restricting or enhancing lesions are identified to strongly suggest active demyelinating disease.
(Basically - nothing new - the last 3 lesions are still present but are inactive and not intensifying)
MRI CERVICAL SPINE WO/W IV CONTRAST
IMPRESSION:
The spinal cord has a normal appearance. No radiographically significant change from previous studies is noted.
There is a subtle lesion of high signal in the posterior aspect of the cord at C5 on the left. There is additional small lesion at C6 on the right.
C6-C7: There is degeneration and desiccation of the intervertebral disc space with a broad-based disc osteophyte mildly effacing the thecal sac.
(Basically, 2 lesions identified, however both are inactive. I also have some disc degeneration and dehydration and a bone spur is being compressing the thecal sac, which is the membrane surrounding the spinal cord and nerves. In my test, the thecal sac is being compressed, appearing flattened or erased on an MRI. This is often caused by conditions like spinal stenosis, disc herniations, or tumors that put pressure on the sac, potentially leading to symptoms like pain, numbness, or weakness - all of which I currently experience.)
MRI THORACIC SPINE WO/W IV CONTRAST
IMPRESSION:
Evaluation is limited due to progressive motion on axial images.
Several of the previously described lesions are not visible, although this may be due to artifact.
(Basically, I was moving and it affected the quality of the MRI. Again, I thought I was lying perfectly still. I took a very long nap - 2-1/2 hours while in the MRI machine so, I must twitch while I sleep?! Who knows!?!
The note from my Neuro said "MRI's look good, no new lesions or disease progression and OK to continue with Ocrevus infusion in February!" Woohoo!! I'll take that good news.
At my next Neuro appointment in December, I will be asking her to go over my MRI and show me my brain and spinal scans to help me better understand MRI images. I am very interested in understanding MRI and CT scans, and how they determine what the blood work is saying. I'll show her how I arrive at some of my opinions. I can't help but be fascinated by all of this information, especially because it's about my health - If I better understand I can help someone else figure out the right questions to ask. I wish that I had developed this passion for medicine in my 20's but I guess that's what medical challenges will do.
All in all, I am doing well. Still in a great deal of muscle and joint pain, still very fatigued (all day and night), still battling with my crappy memory but I'm alive and I lived to see another day - thank God for the important things!!!
09/15/2025
Honoring a civil rights warrior!!
09/15/2025
2nd Ocrevus infusion 8/24 - everything went so well. I haven’t had any adverse reactions. I loved my nurse and I really like the new McGrath center at UCSD Hillcrest. I’ve still been feeling generally unwell. Heavyheaded, dizzy, and weak when I stand up. Muscles are so weak - I tried dusting my house today and nearly passed out. It’s hot and that doesn’t help.
It’s hard to explain what your body is feeling when you are in constant pain and fatigue. I don’t think anybody really understands that doing basic things like cooking, washing dishes, doing laundry, showering, etc takes every single bit of energy I have and it completely wipes me out.
I also discovered a side effect of a med that I am taking could be contributing to my feeling faint and dizzy whenever I stand up. It’s a relief to possibly have an explanation for what is causing this problem. I’m all about identifying solutions to my health challenges, even when I have to figure it out myself!
What’s next? 6 months without having to go to Tysabri every 6 weeks, which means I can visit some important people in my life for as long as I like. Watch out, I may be coming to a city near you!
Happy Labor Day Fam! Be safe! Until next time….
Crista🫶🏽
Update on Ocrevus Infusion 1 - so I started Ocrevus on August 3rd. No flares or significant side effects, just continued joint & muscle pain, limb fatigue and cog fog. As I approach infusion #2 on Sunday, I am feeling worn down, zero to no energy, every activity feels like I’m climbing a mountain, i am so hot. I’m also sleeping more, I guess my body needs the rest 🤷🏽♀️. I don’t know, I sort of wake up tired and low energy. I am hopeful the 2nd infusion will give me the boost I need to return to my “normal”.
You know I really can’t complain about my MS journey - I have only had numbness, severe limb fatigue, cog fog/memory loss and intense joint & muscle pain. Some of my fellow warriors are going through very difficult journeys. They are in and out of the hospital, enduring progression of the disease, new and complicated health challenges and so on. I live with constant pain and a terrible memory, I am thankful that it’s not anything more. I’m 52 and MS progression slows down so God willing, I will stay where I am and hopefully get better.
It’s the middle of August and summer really kicks in right about now. Heat and MS are not good partners - heat really makes everything go haywire. It feels like it’s so much easier to get warm than it is to get cool. Once my body overheats there Is nothing I can do to stop it, i have learned thats its in my best interest to surrender. I cant wait for the fall!!! 🍁🍂
With all that said, I am looking forward to Sunday…bring on the juice!!!!🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡
08/18/2025
08/17/2025
08/08/2025
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